| Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors -> Monitor Keywords |
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Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestorsRelated Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, And Process, Having Specified Venting, Feeding Or Circulation Structure (other Than Feeding Or Filling For Activating Deferred Action-type Battery), Venting Structure, Reactive, Absorbable Or Diffusive TypeSingle point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060177729, Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to single point battery watering systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved refill valve for use in a single point battery watering system that prevents the internal propagation of flames between battery cells during refilling under dry conditions. The refill valve of the present invention performs this function by incorporating a porous internal flame arrestor in the water flow path within the valve. [0002] Lead-acid batteries provide electrical energy by means of an electrochemical reaction that takes place within a plurality of cell units. Each cell unit in a battery contains positive lead dioxide (PbO.sub.2) plates, negative lead (Pb) plates, and an electrolyte comprising sulfuric acid (H.sub.2SO.sub.4) and water (H.sub.2O). Electrical energy is generated during discharging when sulfuric acid reacts with the lead in each plate, thereby forming lead sulfate (PbSO.sub.4) and water. The overall reaction is as follows: Pb+PbO.sub.2+2H.sub.2SO.sub.4.fwdarw.2PbSO.sub.4+2H.sub.2O+Electrical energy [0003] The reverse reaction takes place during re-charging, where the lead in each plate reacts with water and converts back to its original form. The re-charging reaction may also induce electrolysis, a two-step reaction where water is converted to hydrogen (H.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2) gases: 2H.sub.20.fwdarw.4H.sup.++O.sub.2+4e.sup.-4H.sup.++4e.sup.-.fwdarw.2H.sub- .2 [0004] Re-charging and electrolysis lead to water loss in batteries. Additionally, battery cells lose water through evaporation if they are operated under dry conditions. Thus, the cells in many lead-acid batteries must be refilled with water on a regular basis. [0005] The preferred method of refilling lead-acid batteries with water is by the use of single point watering (SPW) systems. Single point watering systems generally comprise a water feed tube that is connected to a plurality of refill valves through a tubing network. Each refill valve in the SPW system is mounted onto a single cell in the battery. The refill valves shut off automatically as soon as the fluid in the cell reaches a predetermined level. [0006] During refilling, the H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 gases that were generated through electrolysis are displaced from the cells. These gases may subsequently ignite and initiate a flame. The flame may then propagate to other cells through the tubing network and cause a ruinous explosion. Thus, as preventive measures, many refill valves contain internal water traps and external flame arrestors. [0007] External flame arrestors are usually located by vent ports outside the refill valves. They prevent the external propagation of flames by providing a hypoxic environment where the oxygen to sustain combustion is insufficient. However, external flame arrestors cannot prevent the propagation of flames once gases diffuse into the valves or tubing network. On the other hand, internal water traps provide such prevention means because they are located within refill valves. These traps use retained water in reservoirs to extinguish any generated flame or spark within the SPW system. The water in the traps also prevents intercellular gas diffusion. [0008] Internal water traps function only when they are hydrated. Thus, they are not practical for use under dry conditions because the water in the traps may evaporate. Such dry conditions may include operation in hot weather or in batteries with elevated temperatures. The latter is a frequent situation in installations using new "fast charge" systems, where batteries are charged for short periods at a time and used frequently without a cool down period, thereby resulting in high service temperatures. An additional disadvantage of water traps is that mold or other contaminants may propagate in the traps and lead to fouling of the valves with consequent valve malfunction. [0009] As apparent by the limitations in the prior art, there is an unmet need in preventing the internal propagation of flames between battery cells through single point watering systems. The present invention addresses this unmet need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed to a refill valve for use in single point battery watering systems for refilling wet cell batteries. The refill valve contains an internal fluid flow path from the input port of the valve to the output port of the valve. The refill valve utilizes an internal porous flame arrestor that is in the fluid flow path and does not require hydration for extinguishing flames. Such a design is advantageous because it prevents the internal propagation of flames between battery cells through the battery watering system under dry conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the refill valve of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view which shows the individual components of the refill valve in FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a refill valve useful in the practice of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the refill valve in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] Refill valves in single point battery watering systems that utilize a porous internal flame arrestor in the path of the water prevent the internal propagation of flames between battery cells through the tubing network. The use of such flame arrestors in the refill valves of SPW systems is advantageous because it prevents internal flame propagation without requiring frequent hydration. The use of such flame arrestors also eliminates the potential for valve malfunction arising from contaminants found in water traps. The internal flame arrestor of the present invention has the same flame arresting properties as the prior art external flame arrestors and flame arrestors in battery vent plugs. However, it was believed that this type of flame arrestor would be too restrictive to water flow to be used in the water flow path, and that the small pores would become clogged with waterborne debris. On the contrary, the internal flame arrestors of the present invention do not interfere substantially with water flow. [0017] Turning now to FIG. 1, a refill valve 10 suitable for use in the present invention is shown. Refill valve 10 contains an internal fluid flow path from the input port of the valve to the output port of the valve. Fluids enter the refill valve at the proximal end through water inlet connector 11 and exit into battery cells at the distal end. The distal end comprises cell gas vent ports 13 for receiving gases that are displaced when the valve is inserted into the cells. These gases enter the refill valve through the ports and exit through cell gas outlet ports 12. The individual components of refill valve 10, including a porous internal flame arrestor 14 that is positioned within the fluid flow path, is shown in FIG. 2. It is also shown in FIG. 2 that the refill valve of the present invention may further comprise an external flame arrestor 16 for preventing external flame propagation. [0018] Turning now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a typical refill valve 10 is shown. It is shown that internal flame arrestor 14 is preferably located between water inlet connector 11 and inlet port 20. It is also shown that external flame arrestor 16 is preferably located in valve cap 18 and held in place by cover 15 and baffle 17. Such a location ensures that displaced gases that enter cell gas vent ports 13 are exposed to the external flame arrestor before they exit the valve through cell gas outlet ports 12. [0019] Flame arrestor 14 is preferably a porous disc with a plurality of pores. Preferably, the pores are 90-120 microns in diameter, and more preferably about 120 microns in diameter. The thickness of flame arrestor 14 is preferably less than 1 inch, and more preferably about 1/8 inch in thickness. It is desirable that the pores comprise about 30-40% of the volume of internal flame arrestor 14. Internal flame arrestors with pore sizes, porous volumes and thicknesses outside the preferred ranges may also be used in the present invention, as long as they do not substantially block water flow. Likewise, flames arrestors with shapes other than discs (e.g., cubes, balls or cylinders) may be suitable for use in the present invention. [0020] In one embodiment, internal flame arrestor 14 may be composed of one or more ceramic materials, such as aluminum oxide ceramics. In another embodiment, internal flame arrestor 14 may be comprised of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride, nylon, fluorocarbon, polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, cellulosic resin, and acrylic resin. Continue reading about Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors... Full patent description for Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090286142 - Single point battery watering system including battery refill valves incorporating flame arrestors - The present invention is directed to a refill valve for use in single point battery watering systems for refilling wet cell batteries. The refill valve comprises a porous internal flame arrestor that is in the path of the liquid. Such a design is advantageous because it prevents the internal propagation ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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